Next-Gen Consoles “Spectacular,” Says EA’s Frank Gibeau

EA’s Frank Gibeau was in the news recently because of his talk of release windows and next-gen consoles, stating they’ll be out in “about a year’s time.” And in a recent interview with Gameindustry International, he had a lot to say concerning the current state of video games, and where the next year will take us.

As he stated before, Gibeau recognizes that the current generation has lasted much longer than any in recent history, but he sees this slump birthing something great.

I’ve been in the industry for a fair bit of time, and looking at the chaos that people perceive is happening out there right now, frankly, from my perspective, the underlying opportunities are so huge that we’re about to embark on a whole new golden age of gaming.

That golden age is to be heralded by the new hardware, which Gibeau is extremely optimistic about.

This is the longest cycle that any of us have ever seen, and we’re at the point where a little bit of fatigue has set in, and people are wondering what they can possibly do next. I’ve seen the machines that we’re building games for, and they’re spectacular.

He goes on to explain the growth EA has undertaken, expanding from three or four platforms to an impressive 17, including Facebook and the mobile market. But those in search of new IP will have to wait until the release of new hardware. EA’s fall lineup is littered with sequels and familiar names, but as Gibeau points out,

The time to launch an IP is at the front-end of the hardware cycle, and if you look historically the majority of new IPS are introduced within the first 24 months of each cycle of hardware platforms.

It’s no secret that EA’s current financial situation isn’t what it used to be, with it’s most recent problems revolving around Star Wars: The Old Republic. This all may be Gibeau trying to distract the gaming populace from it’s current hardships, but there is a lot of truth in what he says, and it only makes us more excited to see the new tech.

There’s still no official word from either Sony or Microsoft about any next-gen consoles, but with statements like this, we at least know they’re on the horizon. What are your predictions for the upcoming consoles? Are you as excited as Gibeau, or do you think his language hyperbolic? Let us know in the comments below, or head over to the Stick Skills forums.